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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

158699 v.8 Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)

BA(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 018629D
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 3 Years


Course Overview

Bachelor degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.


This course offers the chance to develop skills and knowledge in two or more related fields of study at the intersection of media, business, design and new communications technologies. It offers contextual study of the history, theory, ethics and criticism of the various practices, institutions and discourses in media, communication and information. Foundation skills and knowledge for work in the corporate media and information field is provided with considerable breadth of expertise. Students chose one or two streams out of Corporate Screen Production, Web Media and Journalism, combining them with studies in Visual Communication, Digital Design, Photography, Marketing and Public Relations.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways.


Essential TEE Subjects: English, English Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect. TAFE Requirements: A TAFE certificate IV or a TAFE diploma. Those with a Diploma of Mass Communication from Central TAFE may receive credit for recognised learning equivalent to one year (200 credits) While not a formal requirement for entry, students are encouraged to have basic computing skills. STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a bachelor degree with honours and some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Bachelor degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. explain critical theories relating to media-based communications in corporate applications and apply them to a range of roles and functions

2. apply critical thinking and creative approaches to resolve issues and meet challenges in their own professional and creative practice

3. access, evaluate and synthesise appropriate information in order to realise media-based communication objectives

4. communicate ideas to a range of audiences by developing and applying media-based strategies

5. utilise media production technologies and apply them to create effective media-based materials to meet required outcomes

6. apply learning strategies to build on skills and understandings in order to adapt to continually changing industry and corporate needs

7. recognise the significance of global media to business and be able to apply international standards and practices in their creative practice

8. value the cultural and intercultural nature of corporate media and communications and represent this knowledge at a personal and professional level

9. demonstrate professional behaviour and standards and work collaboratively to apply them in all aspects of media and business-related activities


Duration and Availability

3 years full-time study or equivalent part-time.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y        
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y        
2014 Charles Telfair Inst Mauritius Semester 1   Y      
2014 Charles Telfair Inst Mauritius Semester 2   Y      
2014 Lim Kok Wing Uni Malaysia Semester 1   Y      
2014 Lim Kok Wing Uni Malaysia Semester 2   Y      
2014 Miri Sarawak Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Miri Sarawak Campus Semester 2   Y      
2014 Singapore Campus Trimester 1A   Y      
2014 Singapore Campus Trimester 2A   Y      
2014 Singapore Campus Trimester 3A   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
12194 v.7   Engaging Media 104 3.0 25.0
301066 v.6   Culture to Cultures 102 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 1 Semester 2
311923 v.1   Making Meanings 103 3.0 25.0
301516 v.5   Web Communications 101 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 1
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   100.0
  100.0
Year 2
301070 v.4   Media Studies 216 - Asian Media in Transition 2.0 25.0
313827 v.2   Digital Design Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313825 v.2   Visual Communication Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313824 v.1   Web Media Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313828 v.1   Public Relations Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313823 v.1   Corporate Screen Production Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313826 v.1   Marketing Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313822 v.1   Journalism Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313829 v.1   Photography Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
12883 v.6   Consumers, Audiences, Publics and Users 212 2.0 25.0
313822 v.1   Journalism Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313824 v.1   Web Media Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  OR  
313823 v.1   Corporate Screen Production Stream (Mass Communication) 125.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   100.0
  400.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
1557 v.12   Journalism Introduction to Print 111 3.0 25.0
1532 v.9   Screen Practice 111 5.0 25.0
312001 v.1   Design Practice 172 3.0 25.0
10850 v.4   Marketing 100 3.0 25.0
10855 v.8   Public Relations Principles 201 3.0 25.0
314980 v.1   Creative Image Communication 100 3.0 25.0
301018 v.6   Writing, Rhetoric and Persuasion 121 3.0 25.0

*    # Students must select TWO streams, including AT LEAST ONE of the following: Corporate Screen Production, Journalism, or Web Media.




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Humanities on telephone (08) 9266 3400, email humanities@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://humanities.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.